Four Burnley men charged after police drugs swoop

FOUR men have been charged with conspiracy to import and supply class A drugs.

They were allegedly part of a group of 15 people who were involved in bringing £860,000 worth of heroin and crack cocaine into the country.

They were arrested following raids in Oldham and Burnley as part of operation challenger, which is Greater Manchester’s strategy for tackling alleged organised crime in the region.

The raids, which happened at 6am on April 30, involved more than 80 officers, including some from Lancashire Police, and were as a response to community concerns that street drug dealing was an issue in the areas.

Sixteen men and one woman were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences. Fifteen have now been charged.

Zinath Akhtar, 31, of Maygate, Abidur Rahman, 40, of Maygate, both Oldham, Lesley Ball, 22, of Higher House Close, Chadderton and a 17-year-old boy have been bailed accused of the same charge and will also appear at court.